Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich is confident his side's best can match anything thrown at them this season after they restricted Gold Coast to the AFLW's lowest-ever score and notched their highest in a statement QClash victory.
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The Lions' historic 10.5 (65) to 0.2 (2) thumping of their Queensland rivals improved them to 2-0 for the season alongside high-flying North Melbourne, Melbourne, Adelaide and Collingwood.
It followed a decisive victory over Richmond, who last year recorded the previous scoring low of three points in a first-round loss to Saints.
But the Lions coach made it clear they would not be celebrating too hard.
"We've played two teams that have been in the competition for two years, so there's still some settling to do in the competition in terms of the established teams and the expansion teams," Starcevich said.
"We're just looking forward to the challenge of playing some of the big clubs that have their hands up."
North Melbourne's all-star roster have so far taken 2021 by storm, St Kilda coach Pete Searle even questioning their generous draft concessions following a 26-point loss to the Kangaroos on Sunday.
But Starcevich is confident his squad, bound to be full of confidence after forwards Jesse Wardlaw and Dakota Davidson both kicked four goals against the Suns, could match them.
"We play a tempo that's not bad and I think, we don't know yet, but that's going to stack up alright regardless who we play," he said.
Two-time premiers Adelaide flexed their muscles with a 47-point win over the Giants.
Crows forward Danielle Ponter broke the game open with three first-half goals as Adelaide strolled to the 9.8 (62) to 2.3 (15) win.
Fremantle's winning run continued with a hard-fought nine-point triumph over West Coast in a western derby played in rain.
Star Dockers midfielder Kiara Bowers tallied 22 disposals, 14 tackles, seven clearances, and a goal to snare the derby medal as best afield in the 2.11 (23) to 2.2 (14) win.
Melbourne also remain unbeaten thanks to a 28-point defeat of Richmond on Saturday, while Geelong showed vast improvement to push the Magpies in a 6.9 (45) to 2.4 (16) defeat.
The Bulldogs notched their first win, pipping Carlton by six on Friday night.
Suns coach David Lake pointed to Geelong's improvement after a horror opening round when looking for a silver lining.
"The Lions are in amongst the group of sides we thought we'd find ourselves amongst," he conceded.
"But ... where you think you're at and where you're at can be very different, and as soon as you believe that's where you belong I reckon that's where you're vulnerable.
"So for the same reason, we need to go back, reposition and move forward."
Australian Associated Press
